It looks like the weather is going to cooperate for Art-A-Whirl this year, and because of that, I highly suggest planning a bike ride or a non-car route to get there. Metro passes are free, plus there’s an Art-A-Whirl trolley! Skip trying to find a parking spot and let yourself wander to whatever adventure finds you in Northeast Minneapolis, where the festival takes place across 18 different artist studio buildings, plus many more stand-alone sites and galleries. With music, food, pop-up installations and tons and tons of art, the festival is a great way to see what Twin Cities artists are up to and catch the creative spirit.
The Art-A-Whirl festival takes place Friday, May 17 from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday, May 18 from noon to 8 p.m. and Sunday, May 19 from noon to 5 p.m. in Northeast Minneapolis. More information here.
- Weekend Picks: Barcelona Flamenco Ballet at Granada; Halloween, Alaska performs at the Dakota
Activities and exhibits
In addition to dozens of activities fit for all ages, you can also visit four exhibitions during Art-A-Whirl.
Form, Figure, & Firework
When: Exhibit open through July 25
Where: The Mill Yard (Stonebridge Lofts 1120 South 2nd Street, Minneapolis)
Cost: Free
The Cindy Show
When: Exhibit runs through May 31
Where: Supercharged Printmakers (Casket Arts Building 17th Avenue Northeast, Minneapolis)
Cost: Free
Spring Awakenings
When: Exhibit runs through May 19
Where: Casket Arts Building (Studio 209 681 17th Ave NE, Minneapolis)
Cost: Free
Flower Alchemy
When: Exhibit runs through August 18
Where: Foci Minnesota Center for Glass Arts (Snelling Avenue, Minneapolis)
Cost: Free
Parking
You can download a free Metro Transit pass to get to and from Art-A-Whirl. Here are the lines that run through northeast Minneapolis:
- 4 connects from South Minneapolis/Edina to Johnson St NE
- 6 connects from South Minneapolis/Edina to Main St & A-Mill
- 10 connects from Fridley, Columbia Heights, South Mpls to Central Ave NE
- 11 connects from Downtown, South Minneapolis via 4th St to 2nd Ave & California Building
- 17 connects from St. Louis Park and Downtown Minneapolis to Monroe St, Washington, Lowry: Flux Arts, Holland Arts, and Casket Arts buildings
- 30 connects Prospect Park, Lauderdale, and the Quarry to Broadway St NE
- 32 connects Robbinsdale to N Mpls, to Lowry St NE & Edison High School
- 61 connects 2010 Artblok to Minneapolis Cider Co and SE Minneapolis